Cherry tree named &#39;bicolam&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of cherry tree denominated ‘BICOLAM’ has fruits that ripen medium in the season, said variety being self-fertile and resistant to cracking, allowing a high production of fruits with large size and red or two-colored fruit skin, depending on maturity stage, firm, and with a good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by its good handling and storage qualities.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2017/3041 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus avium(L.) L.

Variety denomination: ‘BICOLAM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and reproduction oforchard trees, among which peaches, nectarines, apricots, apples, andcherries are exemplary. It was against this background of our activitiesthat the present variety of cherry tree was originated and reproduced byus in our experimental orchard located near Elne, Pyrénées Orientales,France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new a distinct variety of cherry treePrunus avium L. which has been given the variety denomination ‘BICOLAM’.This tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration bothon the trees after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality with a cream pink colored flesh, and for fresh marketduring June in the Pyrénées Orientales department, France.

Contrast is made to ‘FIRELAM’ cherry tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,564),‘ROSALOLAM’ cherry tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,252), ‘BURLAT’ cherrytree (not patented), and ‘FOLFER’ (not patented) cherry tree forreliable description.

‘BICOLAM’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that itproduces very attractive fruits having a long shelf life.

The present new variety of cherry tree (Prunus avium L.) was developedby us in our experimental orchard located in France. ‘BICOLAM’ cherrytree originated in a cultivated area of the South of France, in thePyrénées-Orientales department where it was also tested. This zone alsocalled Roussillon is subject to a Mediterranean climate. The winter isgenerally sweet that is to say the total amount of cold hours lower than7° C. (Celsius) varies from 600 hours to 1200 hours. The summer is hotand dry, that is to say the total amount of sunshine hours is an averageof 2400 hours to 2800 hours per year. The prevailing wind is called“Tramontane”: it dries the air and clear the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruits quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen, and the summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘BICOLAM’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the cherrytree variety named ‘FIRELAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,564) which was usedas the seed parent. Thus, the pollen parent is unknown.

The ‘BICOLAM’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a ‘Maxma14’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has beendetermined to have unique tree and fruits characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruits production. There are no knowneffects of the standard rootstock tree set forth above on the scioncultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original treeand all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. Theplant was asexually reproduced by us in Les Regalines, Route d'Alenya,La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

Compared to its female parent, a red cherry tree named ‘FIRELAM’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 25,564), the new variety ‘BICOLAM’ is considered as atwo-colored cherry tree or red cherry tree, depending on the maturitystage.

Regarding the flowering period, the flowers of the new variety ‘BICOLAM’bloom generally slightly later than the flowers of the ‘FIRELAM variety.Thus, generally, the flowers of ‘BICOLAM’ bloom 2 to 3 days after theflowers of ‘FIRELAM’.

Moreover, the new variety ‘BICOLAM’ is considered self-fertile whereasthe ‘FIRELAM’ variety is not self-fertile and needs to be pollinated byanother variety.

Compared to the cherry tree named ‘ROSALOLAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.29,252), the new variety ‘BICOLAM’ shows a similar maturity period.However, the new variety is self-fertile whereas the ‘ROSALOLAM’ varietyis not, such as the ‘FIRELAM’ variety.

Compared to the fruits produced by the cherry variety named ‘BURLAT’(not patented), that show a weight of about 7.5 to 8 grams, the‘BICOLAM’ variety produces fruits that are heavier, with a weight ofapproximately 13 grams and more, and the fruits of ‘BICOLAM’ have abigger size. The ‘BURLAT variety is considered to be sensitive tocracking whereas the new variety ‘BICOLAM’ is resistant to cracking.

Compared to ‘FOLFER’ cherry tree, which is considered to be sensitive tocracking whereas the new variety ‘BICOLAM’ is resistant to cracking.Also, the ripening period for the fruits produced by the variety‘FOLFER’ is earlier than the ripening period of the new variety‘BICOLAM’. More particularly, the first fruits of ‘FOLFER’ usually ripenapproximately 10 days before the first fruits of the variety ‘BICOLAM’.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety ‘BICOLAM’ produces fruits of important size, firm, witha semi-sweet flavor, low acidity, and a pinkish red color of skin,sometimes a two-colored skin, depending on the maturity stage of thefruits. The blooming period is medium for the variety, generally at theend of March or at the beginning of April. The maturity period isconsidered medium, and generally begins at the end of May or early inJune, in the South of France. However, it was observed that its earlydate of blooming and maturity seem to be highly dependant on climaticconditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyas depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in colorillustrations of this character. These specimens were obtained at theElne Experiment Station, South of France.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard at ripening time.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard at blossoming time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides ofleaves, five whole fruits of the new variety, one of these having beencut in a half, with the stone being left in one of the halves, fordepicting the fruit flesh, the stone, and the stone cavity of the newvariety.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are color photographs that shows a close view of typicalfruits of the new variety ‘BICOLAM’ at ripening time.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing different views of the stone of thenew variety and the kernel of the stone.

The enclosed photographs show plants in their fourth growing season,except for the tree and trunk illustrated on FIG. 1, that have beenobserved in their sixth growing season and the tree with flowers atblossoming illustrated on FIG. 2, that have been observed in their fifthgrowing season.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofcherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations ofspecimens grown near Elne, South of France, with color in accordancewith the R.H.S. (Royal Horticultural Society) Colour Chart (FourthEdition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

The trees, flowers and fruits may vary in slight detail due tovariations in soil type, cultural practices and climatic conditions.

The main characteristics of this new variety of sweet cherry are a bigfruit size with a pinkish red or two-colored skin depending on thematurity stage. The color of fruit flesh is cream to pink. The fruit isfirm.

The time of beginning of flowering is medium and the ripening period isalso considered medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of cherry tree, the following has been observed ontrees on their fourth growing season (third year of production) forleaves, fruits and stones, on trees on their fifth growing season(fourth year of production) for flowers and on trees on their sixthgrowing season (fifth year of production) for trees and trunks, underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near thetown of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock wasa ‘MAXMA14’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference toThe R.H.S. (Royal Horticultural Society) Colour Chart 2001 (FourthEdition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree: Generally. The first year the cherry tree is generally cut at    2.50 meters height. The length in one year for each lateral shoot    varies from 0.60 meters to 0.80 meters. We are cutting the cherry    trees during the second year to a height of 2.50 meters. The form of    the cheery trees is cylindrical, and the diameter is limited to 1    meter.    -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other commercial sweet            cherry cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50            meters. Current season's shoots growth could reach 0.60 to            0.80 meters. So, the tree size from the second year (second            and next years) reached a final height of 3.10 to 3.30            meters with current seasons shoots length comprised. The            mature branches have been pruned to a length of 30.0            centimeters in order to place nets on the trees.        -   Spread.—Approximately 2.0 meters with a cylindrical shape.            The whole orchard was oriented to a central leader            organization, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees            spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line.        -   Vigor.—Medium, tree growth reaching 0.60 to 0.80 meters the            first growing season.        -   Productivity.—Good productivity, every year. The new variety            produces adequate fruit set annually on a regular basis. The            number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic            conditions and cultivar practices employed during the bloom            period and is therefore not distinctive of the present            variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular and quantitative. The extinction of the            clusters of May improves the size and firmness of the fruit.        -   Form.—Semi-spread.        -   Hardiness.—Medium in all stone fruit growing areas of France            and especially where the chilling requirement is between 350            and 1200 hours. No injury with temperatures as low as            −12° C. in winter. Good resistance to late frosts. More            particularly, experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,            Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling            requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and            1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,            namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893            hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, 825 hours in            2016-2017 and 1017 hours in 2017-2018, showed a good            behavior of the tree in all cases.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Approximately 90.0 to 94.0 millimeters above            20.0 centimeters from ground, on 6^(th) growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Rough with reliefs due to the lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—High number of lenticels. The number of lenticels            reaches approximately 10 lenticels per 10 cm². At the 6^(th)            growing season, lenticels are 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters in            height and 7.0 to 12.0 millimeters in width.        -   Lenticels color.—Color of lenticels is light orange (RHS            GREYED ORANGE 164 A).        -   Bark color.—Brown (RHS BROWN 200 B).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium for the branches at the 6^(th) growing season.        -   Diameter.—Average diameter of 12.0 to 18.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth with small lenticels, round to            slightly stretched. The number of lenticels reaches 20            lenticels per 10 cm². The lenticels are 1.0 to 2.0            millimeters in height and approximately 1.5 to 2.0            millimeters in width. The color of lenticels is considered            beige (RHS GREYED ORANGE 64 C to RHS GREYED ORANGE 64 D).            Wood that is several years old has furrowed appearance.        -   Color.—Mature branches show a brown color (RHS GREY BROWN            N199 A).-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Size.—Medium for the new growth, between 60.0 and 80.0            centimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered medium. Average diameter of about 5.0            to 7.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally 45 degrees from the vertical            axis. This particular characteristic is not considered            distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Internode.—Considered short. Generally from 18.0 millimeters            to 23.0 millimeters length and 24.0 to 28.0 millimeters on            two years old branches.        -   Color.—Current season shoots are considered light brown to            slightly green (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A or RHS GREY BROWN N            199 D) on their lower face and brown slightly darker (RHS            GREY BROWN 199 A or RHS GREY BROWN N 199 A) on their upper            face.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium for the species. Leaf measurements have been            taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at            approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is            approximately 2.14.        -   Length.—From 122.0 to 145.75 millimeters without leaf            petiole.        -   Width.—From 58.0 to 68.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf form in cross view.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Entire to rhomboid.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base.—Cuneiform.        -   Margins.—Undulated and dentate or crenate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are generally identical.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 147 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green than the upper leaf surface            (RHS YELLOW GREEN 147 B).        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth, without pubescence (glabrous). The            lower surface is also smooth without pubescence.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—The mid-vein or midrib is green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 146            D or RHS YELLOW GREEN N 144 A) and the color may evolve with            maturity.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.-   Lateral veins:    -   -   Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS            YELLOW GREEN 144 A or RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 B).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to long.        -   Length.—About 42.0 to 52.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 1.75 to 2.0 millimeters.        -   Shape.—Ribbed.        -   Color.—Upper surface greenish (RHS YELLOW GREEN 152 A) and            sometimes pale red (RHS GREYED PURPLE N 186 C). Lower            surface light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A).        -   Ratio blade length/petiole length.—More or less 2.75 to 3.0.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 2.0 to 2.25            millimeters. Their width is between 1.0 and 1.5 millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally 2.        -   Type.—Round.        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.        -   Position.—Alternated on the upper part of the petiole.        -   Color.—On young leaves, the leaf glands are considered red            (RHS RED 46 A). The leaf gland color evolves with maturity            and, on older leaves, the leaf glands are colored in a brown            red (RHS GREYED ORANGE 172 A).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed.-   Flowers:-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            bunches are make up with 3 to 4 floral buds having a conic            shape with a round tip. Their form is evolving until            blooming, with variables dimensions. Then, just before            blooming, floral buds have a diameter of about 8.0 to 10.0            millimeters and are approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters            long. The distribution of the flower buds is considered            homogenous on the trees.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle, is of            green or light green color at the upper surface (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 153 B or RHS YELLOW GREEN 153 C or RHS YELLOW GREEN N            144 A or RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 A). The lower surface of the            calyx is considered green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A or RHS            YELLOW GREEN 145 B) to brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 175 A or RHS            GREYED RED 178 A). Above the calyx, the corolla, formed by            petals, is generally pure white (RHS WHITE 155 D) on both            upper and lower surfaces.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,            with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The            current variety has not been intentionally subjected to            drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good            resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an            average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks            in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—Generally late March or at the beginning of            April. Last four blooms took place respectively from Apr. 2            until Apr. 9, 2015, then from Apr. 2 until Apr. 11, 2016,            then from Mar. 20 until Mar. 28, 2017 and then from Apr. 2            until Apr. 12, 2018.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium relative comparison to            other commercial cherry cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The date of full            bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period. The            date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and            cultural practices.        -   Blooming period.—Average 8-10 days. This characteristic            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            of flowers (rosette).        -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Average diameter between            34.0 and 37.0 millimeters when totally opened.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant or very abundant,            approximately 250 to 300 flowers per meter.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 3 to 4 flower buds appear            per node.-   Petal:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species.        -   Length.—Generally between 15.0 and 17.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally between 16.0 and 17.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal texture.—Both petal surfaces have a smooth texture.        -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulate.        -   Petal color.—Pure white color (RHS WHITE 155 D) on both            surfaces.        -   Fragrance.—Soft.        -   Arrangements of petals.—Slightly overlapping.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a narrow form.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Same color as the petal's color (RHS WHITE 155 D).-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide dome shaped.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average            length of approximately 19.0 to 23.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 B to RHS YELLOW GREEN 144            C).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—The inner surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle,            is of green or light green color (RHS YELLOW GREEN N 144 A            to RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 A or RHS YELLOW GREEN 153). The            outer surface of the calyx is considered green or green to            brown (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B to RHS GREYED ORANGE 175 A).-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer and inner surfaces of the sepals            have a smooth texture.        -   Size.—Usually considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Shape.—Conic with a round-shape on top.        -   Color.—The upper surface is green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A to            RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 B) or brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 175 A).            The lower surface of the sepals is considered green (RHS            YELLOW GREEN 144 C).        -   Number of sepals.—Generally 5, no overlapping.        -   Sepal apex.—Round.        -   Margin descriptors.—Smooth.-   Stamens:    -   -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Between 28 and 32            stamens per flower.        -   Stamen.—Size compared to petals. The size of stamen is            smaller than the size of petals.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—Medium.        -   Form.—Cardioid.        -   Color.—Yellow color (RHS YELLOW 11 A). The color evolves            with flowering.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant and has a yellow color            (RHS YELLOW 11 A or RHS YELLOW 11 B) that varies with            maturity. The fertility has been checked and the ‘BICOLAM’            variety is self-fertile (or self pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately between 11.0 and            13.0 millimeters in length, generally smaller than pistil's            length.        -   Color.—Considered as white (RHS WHITE 155 B or RHS WHITE 155            C).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Length.—Approximately from 16.0 to 17.0 millimeters            including the ovary, that is longer than stamens length.        -   Color.—Considered very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 C).            The color is evolving with flowering.        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Stigma.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter in diameter, with an            elliptic shape and a yellowish color (RHS YELLOW GREEN N 144            A).        -   Ovary.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters in height. The            diameter of the ovary is about 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters. The            color is considered green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A to RHS            YELLOW GREEN 144 B).-   Type of reproduction: Pollination.-   Pollinator: BICOLAM is a self-fertile or self-pollinating variety.    So, it doesn't need any pollinator.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm at maturity.        -   Date of last picking.—Last known picking times carry on from            May 22 to May 27, 2014, then May 1 to May 8, 2015, then from            May 8 to May 14, 2016, then from Apr. 22 to Apr. 28, 2017            and then from May 31 to Jun. 8, 2018.        -   Ripening period.—Grouped maturity, approximately 6 to 9            days.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, with a            homogeneous size between them.        -   Average cheek diameter.—About 24.0 to 27.0 millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—About 25.0 to 27.0 millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Considered big. Generally about 12.0 grams,            sometimes 13.0 grams or more. This characteristic is highly            dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and            therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Reniform.        -   Fruit suture.—Slightly marked and homogenous from the base            to the apex, with a flared shape.        -   Suture color.—Generally slightly darker than the skin color            and considered purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Round. Slightly in depression.        -   Base.—Slightly in depression.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 4.0            to 6.0 millimeters. Average width is about 6.0 to 7.0            millimeters, with a flared shape.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered thin thick, and tenacious to the flesh            depending on stage of maturity.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh and strong.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Taste.—Sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—The color of the fruit is considered two            colored to red depending on the maturity stage. When the            fruits are mature, the fruit skin is colored on 90-95% of            its surface in purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A to RHS            GREYED PURPLE 187 B) on red background (RHS RED 53 A).        -   Fruit stem.—Considered long, approximately 42.0 to 50.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A).        -   Description.—Resistant and flexible, no splitting when            removed.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Homogenous, slow and regular.        -   Texture.—Very crunchy, luscious, juicy.        -   Fibers.—No fibers.        -   Firmness.—Considered firm.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced aroma.        -   Eating quality.—Very good, very sweet, aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Semi-sweet, very sugared, aromatic. Low acidic            level. Juicy and aromatic.        -   Juice.—Large amount, very juicy.        -   Brix.—Approximately 15.7 to 18.0 degrees, varies slightly            with amount of fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color of juice.—From a cream to pink color (RHS RED 37 A) at            ripeness.        -   Color of flesh.—Pink cream (RHS ORANGE 29 C or RHS ORANGE 26            C or RHS ORANGE 26 D), with a slightly red pigmentation at            ripeness.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi-freestone or semi-clingstone at fruits picking.        -   Size.—Medium for the variety.        -   Length.—Average 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Average width 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average diameter 8.0 to 9.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Round.        -   Base.—Generally round to slightly oblique.        -   Apex.—Round.        -   Stone cavity.—Medium with a form and dimensions            corresponding to the stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Ridges.—None, smooth.        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Very shallow, more or less 0.5 millimeter.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Fully grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is light beige (RHS            GREYED YELLOW 161 C or RHS GREYED YELLOW 161 D).-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length.—About 7.0 to 9.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—About 3.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Obovoid to round.        -   Pellicle.—Not pubescent, smooth.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is light beige (RHS GREYED YELLOW 162            B or RHS GREYED YELLOW 162 C). The kernel and its embryo            (almond) are mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Almond.—The almond has a bitter taste and a white color (RHS            WHITE 155 A).-   Use: Dessert. Fresh products.    -   -   Market.—Local and long distance. On the tree fruits can stay            10 days while keeping good gustative qualities. The lifetime            after picking is also good.-   Keeping quality: Good behavior on trees, allowing either a harvest    of the fruits of this variety as a bicolor cherry, or to harvest the    fruits later as a red cherry. Also, held well for 30 days in cold    storage at 2° C. and maintained good appearance and eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal bruising or scarring during    picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: Specific tests were    run and ‘BICOLAM’ variety seems to be low sensitive to observed    pathologies, to rupture and to conservation pathologies.

The present new variety of cherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées Orientales (66),France (FR).

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its medium ripening, itsself fertility, its high production, its resistance to cracking, itsattractive fruits and especially by its large to very large size, itsred or two colored fruit skin depending on the maturity stage, itsfirmness, good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is furthercharacterized by its good handling and storage qualities.